With HLT's growth in the past year, it seems fitting that the community theater is performing a Shakespeare play for the first time in its 47-year history.

After seeing Maria Morava's perfect portrayal of Juliet, I do not wonder why the board chose to do the play. Morava, a 15-year-old East Henderson High School student, delivered Shakespeare as if she were born speaking Elizabethan English. She gives Juliet the perfect balance of foolish young love and the passion that only young love can feel.

In many ways, "Romeo and Juliet" is the most difficult Shakespearean play to perform. It is read in every high school and has been adapted countless ways, making the death of the star-crossed lovers no surprise. The challenge lies in making the lines fresh and characters' connections empathetic. I applaud HLT's attempt at this masterpiece, but I left the theater feeling slightly disappointed and not entirely remorseful.

The play's large cast did give Hendersonville Little Theatre a chance to show off its expanding pool of talent. I was deeply impressed with many of the performances, forgetting that Shakespeare can be a foreign language.

Romeo's clique of friends plays off one another beautifully. Mercutio, played by Kai Elijah Hamilton, makes his entrance with a rush of energy. He is the perfect mischievous ally to Romeo. He has incredible command of Shakespeare, delivering bawdy jokes and hot-witted comebacks with finesse. Jonathan Forrester plays an honest, grounded Benvolio — the voice of reason in Romeo's life.

With "Romeo and Juliet" calling for such a large cast ranging in age and gender, it allowed space for new faces to perform live theater. It was wonderful to see four new youthful actors debuting with HLT.

Luke Johnson, who plays Romeo, was among the teenagers to try out theater for the first time. He nails a moping, lovesick youth in the start of the show, but in the dress rehearsal, his enunciation made it difficult to follow his lines, and his passion for Juliet left much to be desired.

I enjoyed David Timmerman's supporting role as the vengeful Tybalt, Brandon Gash's impassioned Prince begging for peace, Bobby Simcox's dutiful Paris and Henry Syron's overbearing Lord Capulet. Craig Conner portrays a vigorous Friar Lawrence, who is desperate for peace. His guilt is plain when he inadvertently leads the lovers to their end.

HLT's talent truly shines in the scenes between Juliet, her nurse (Beth Norris) and Lady Capulet (Natalie Brodway). Broadway and Norris are the perfect complement to Morava's Juliet. The women's enthusiasm and connection carry the play. Norris is the ideal nurse — warm hearted, jovial — and she fusses over Juliet as her own daughter.

The play was set in the traditional Elizabethan time period. John Arnett's set design created a versatile stage, allowing for Bill Munoz's choreographed swordplay to take on multiple levels and plenty of space for Juliet's famous balcony scene. Munoz has been choreographing fights and brawls for more than 15 years and delivers well-timed and heated conflict.

With the traditional Shakespearean wardrobe, I question director Theresa Cox's decision to have touches of modern garb. Romeo's hair was gelled into a modern comb that smacked of high school hallways. Mercutio's spiked Mohawk, pierced eyebrow, and sparkling nail polish made me feel like Leonardo DiCaprio was just off stage from Baz Luhrmann's 1996 modern version of "Romeo and Juliet."

With this ambitious new season, Hendersonville Little Theater has certainly raised the bar. It has fully embraced the new downtown location, offering more opportunities for folks to become involved with theater. I am deeply impressed with the number of new people expressing their passion for the dramatic arts.

<p>Hendersonville Little Theater has taken on "Romeo and Juliet," giving audiences the chance to see Shakespeare's classic love story for Valentine's this year. </p><p>With HLT's growth in the past year, it seems fitting that the community theater is performing a Shakespeare play for the first time in its 47-year history. </p><p>After seeing Maria Morava's perfect portrayal of Juliet, I do not wonder why the board chose to do the play. Morava, a 15-year-old East Henderson High School student, delivered Shakespeare as if she were born speaking Elizabethan English. She gives Juliet the perfect balance of foolish young love and the passion that only young love can feel.</p><p>In many ways, "Romeo and Juliet" is the most difficult Shakespearean play to perform. It is read in every high school and has been adapted countless ways, making the death of the star-crossed lovers no surprise. The challenge lies in making the lines fresh and characters' connections empathetic. I applaud HLT's attempt at this masterpiece, but I left the theater feeling slightly disappointed and not entirely remorseful.</p><p>The play's large cast did give Hendersonville Little Theatre a chance to show off its expanding pool of talent. I was deeply impressed with many of the performances, forgetting that Shakespeare can be a foreign language.</p><p>Romeo's clique of friends plays off one another beautifully. Mercutio, played by Kai Elijah Hamilton, makes his entrance with a rush of energy. He is the perfect mischievous ally to Romeo. He has incredible command of Shakespeare, delivering bawdy jokes and hot-witted comebacks with finesse. Jonathan Forrester plays an honest, grounded Benvolio — the voice of reason in Romeo's life.</p><p>With "Romeo and Juliet" calling for such a large cast ranging in age and gender, it allowed space for new faces to perform live theater. It was wonderful to see four new youthful actors debuting with HLT. </p><p>Luke Johnson, who plays Romeo, was among the teenagers to try out theater for the first time. He nails a moping, lovesick youth in the start of the show, but in the dress rehearsal, his enunciation made it difficult to follow his lines, and his passion for Juliet left much to be desired. </p><p>I enjoyed David Timmerman's supporting role as the vengeful Tybalt, Brandon Gash's impassioned Prince begging for peace, Bobby Simcox's dutiful Paris and Henry Syron's overbearing Lord Capulet. Craig Conner portrays a vigorous Friar Lawrence, who is desperate for peace. His guilt is plain when he inadvertently leads the lovers to their end.</p><p>HLT's talent truly shines in the scenes between Juliet, her nurse (Beth Norris) and Lady Capulet (Natalie Brodway). Broadway and Norris are the perfect complement to Morava's Juliet. The women's enthusiasm and connection carry the play. Norris is the ideal nurse — warm hearted, jovial — and she fusses over Juliet as her own daughter.</p><p>The play was set in the traditional Elizabethan time period. John Arnett's set design created a versatile stage, allowing for Bill Munoz's choreographed swordplay to take on multiple levels and plenty of space for Juliet's famous balcony scene. Munoz has been choreographing fights and brawls for more than 15 years and delivers well-timed and heated conflict.</p><p>With the traditional Shakespearean wardrobe, I question director Theresa Cox's decision to have touches of modern garb. Romeo's hair was gelled into a modern comb that smacked of high school hallways. Mercutio's spiked Mohawk, pierced eyebrow, and sparkling nail polish made me feel like Leonardo DiCaprio was just off stage from Baz Luhrmann's 1996 modern version of "Romeo and Juliet." </p><p>With this ambitious new season, Hendersonville Little Theater has certainly raised the bar. It has fully embraced the new downtown location, offering more opportunities for folks to become involved with theater. I am deeply impressed with the number of new people expressing their passion for the dramatic arts.</p>